Writing the Wrong: Can Counter-Stereotypes Offset Negative Media Messages about African Americans?

Several studies show media messages activate or exacerbate racial stereotypes. This analysis, however, may be the first to examine which types of information-those that directly contradict media messages (i.e., crime-related) or general news (i.e., non-crime-related)-are most effective in abating stereotypes. Its findings suggest fear of crime is becoming more a human fear, not just a racial one. Furthermore, it suggests that for younger Americans, the concomitant dyad of the black criminal stereotype-race and crime-is fueled more by crime than by race.